I never remove the radiator to remove the alternator. I twist the alternator sideways and it comes right up. Also pro-tip is to remove the compressor bolts and move the compressor down a bit so you can have easier access to the long alternator bolt. Its much much easier that way

I dont remove the radiator, the fans yes and dont have to remove the compressor lines, i did put aside the compressor for the FUC#%^& rear bolt, and my advise, if your a newb dont even try it, its at least a 3 to 5 hours job.

I dont remove the radiator, the fans yes and dont have to remove the compressor lines, i did put aside the compressor for the FUC#%^& rear bolt, and my advise, if your a newb dont even try it, its at least a 3 to 5 hours job.

So if I haven't done it before, don't try to remove the alternator or the compressor?

I remove the fans and radiator. Better safe than sorry. Might bang into the radiator and now you gotta replace that too. Whats an extra 5 minutes and a $13 of prestone 50/50 really worth besides the $13?

So just did this job the other weekend and thought I would throw in my two cents. I did not remove the radiator, nor did I use the drop the compressor method.

I removed the electric fans. I could get to everything with basic tools, including the lower alternator bolt. If I remember correctly I wormed my hand in from the top.
The alternator came forward, then alongside the radiator, and out the top where the fan used to be.
The problem came when I went to put that bottom bolt back in. What I ended up doing was using a pair of the heavy duty mechanical fingers from northern tools. They had a probably two foot flexible neck on them. I grabbed the head of the bolt with them and went in above the exhaust. This got it to the hole and I had a partner jiggle the alternator while I slipped it in.

OH! also in case you haven't done an alternator before take a look at the bushing where the top bolt goes through. It may be pushed out a little too far to fit in the slot. In case it is, just pound it back in a little bit and you should have the clearance to slide it in.

It may be easier to do it the other way but mine was an emergency fix the day before work so speed was of the essence

Total time on the job was probably 1.5 to 2 hours. It wasn't that bad at all.

So just did this job the other weekend and thought I would throw in my two cents. I did not remove the radiator, nor did I use the drop the compressor method.

I removed the electric fans. I could get to everything with basic tools, including the lower alternator bolt. If I remember correctly I wormed my hand in from the top.
The alternator came forward, then alongside the radiator, and out the top where the fan used to be.
The problem came when I went to put that bottom bolt back in. What I ended up doing was using a pair of the heavy duty mechanical fingers from northern tools. They had a probably two foot flexible neck on them. I grabbed the head of the bolt with them and went in above the exhaust. This got it to the hole and I had a partner jiggle the alternator while I slipped it in.

OH! also in case you haven't done an alternator before take a look at the bushing where the top bolt goes through. It may be pushed out a little too far to fit in the slot. In case it is, just pound it back in a little bit and you should have the clearance to slide it in.

It may be easier to do it the other way but mine was an emergency fix the day before work so speed was of the essence

Total time on the job was probably 1.5 to 2 hours. It wasn't that bad at all.

Thats a good time. This R&R pays 1.5 points, in essence @2 hrs, you would loose .5 of a point in pay....thats why I do it from the bottom. Its much quicker and easier this way for me, although im lucky and I get to stand under the hoist instead of bending over and hurting my back which has already been abused too much. (No funny jokes...)

ya a lift surely would have come in handy, but for a bumbling mechanic like me with a floor jack I was glad to have it done so quickly.
I'm sure that it would be smoother the second time around since I wouldn't have to decide how I was going about it.
As a side note do you guys ever use those creepers? I always feel like I would rather just be on the ground.

ya a lift surely would have come in handy, but for a bumbling mechanic like me with a floor jack I was glad to have it done so quickly.
I'm sure that it would be smoother the second time around since I wouldn't have to decide how I was going about it.
As a side note do you guys ever use those creepers? I always feel like I would rather just be on the ground.

At home is a pair of padded garage foam mats that interlock. No creeper. The only time I use a creeper when I do inspections under big trucks and I need to roll and inspect.